SMTP Mail Settings (Joomla 3)

If a contact form within your site is not working correctly, or the site isn't sending emails properly, adjusting the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) mail settings may resolve the issue. This article offers an overview of SMTP and directions for configuring your SMTP settings for different email providers. It is important to note that directions for individual email providers are subject to change. It's always best to refer to the most up-to-date set of instructions from the provider itself. 

SMTP Overview

Joomla SMTP Settings

CloudMail SMTP Settings

Google Apps SMTP Settings

AOL SMTP Settings

SMTP Overview

SMTP is the set of Internet standards for transmitting email across Internet networks. Large mail servers and email agents use SMTP to send and receive emails, but applications like Joomla use SMTP for sending email only. To receive email through your Joomla site, you'll need to set up an email client that uses either Post Office Protocol (POP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP).

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Joomla SMTP Settings

If you have an email provider, the best way to utilize that email within your Joomla site is to configure the SMTP settings in the Global Configurations area. If set up correctly, you will have the most reliable email functionality possible through your Joomla site. Every email provider will have specific steps to set up SMTP email authentication for use in applications like Joomla! It's important that you set up the authentication correctly for core Joomla contact emails to work. To get started, log into the Administration area (the back end) of your site, and go to Global Configuration. Inside Global Configuration, go to the "Server" tab.

Locate the "Mail Settings" to configure your SMTP settings. The section of this article illustrates mail settings for a specific provider. Be sure to save and close your work when you're done.

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CloudMail SMTP Email Settings

The example below illustrates outgoing SMTP email settings for a CloudMail email account. CloudMail is a free email service integrated into any domain name purchased through CloudAccess.net. 

Mailer → SMTP
From Email → Your email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From Name → Your site name or your name Administrator of This Site
Sendmail Path → This should already be present if not it needs to be /usr/sbin/sendmail
SMTP Authentication → Select Yes
SMTP Security → SSL
SMTP Port → 465
SMTP Username → Your email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SMTP Password → Your email password
SMTP Host → mail.cloudaccess.net

After adjusting the settings, be sure to click “Save and Close”.

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Google Apps SMTP Email Settings

The example below illustrates outgoing SMTP email settings for a Google Apps-based email account. If your mail is handled through another provider, you'll have to contact that provider to discover their unique settings for SMTP email.

Mailer → SMTP
From Email → Your email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From Name → Your site name or your name Administrator of This Site
Sendmail Path → This should already be present if not it needs to be /usr/sbin/sendmail (this will not appear in Joomla 3.3)
SMTP Authentication → Select Yes
SMTP Security → SSL
SMTP Port → 465
SMTP Username → Your email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SMTP Password → Your email password
SMTP Host → smtp.gmail.com

After adjusting the settings, be sure to click “Save and Close”.

If you see a Sign In Attempt Prevented error, you will need to go to the following link: https://myaccount.google.com/security#connectedapps and turn on the Allow Less Sucure Apps: setting.

You should now be able to connect to your mail account. 

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AOL SMTP Email Settings

The example below illustrates outgoing SMTP email settings for an AOL Email account. If your mail is handled through another provider, you'll have to contact that provider to discover their unique settings for SMTP email.

Mailer → SMTP
From Email → Your email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From Name → Your site name or your name Administrator of This Site
Sendmail Path → This should already be present if not it needs to be /usr/sbin/sendmail
SMTP Authentication → Select Yes
SMTP Security → TLS
SMTP Port → 587
SMTP Username → Your AOL Username
SMTP Password → Your AOL password
SMTP Host → smtp.aol.com

After adjusting the settings, be sure to click “Save and Close”. There are additional links to AOL resources in the related resources area of this article.

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